Does India need another aircraft carrier or more submarines? CDS Rawat's interesting reply

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat on Monday launched 'Himgiri', Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) - built first Project 17A Stealth frigate in Kolkata. While dressing media after launch of ship, CDS Rawat was asked wher India should have more submarines or procure ar aircraft carrier, to which he said that "both have ir vants and disvants."

'We will take a call': CDS Rawat

"Submarines have a separate place in naval warfare, in domination of seas, and so does an aircraft carrier," he said, maintaining that Navy needs an air wing. "Yes, it needs an Air wing. But how to man it and how to ensure security and sanctity of our sea lines of communication we are thinking about," he said.

" country needs to utilise its large number of island territories for strengning security along sea lanes of communication," CDS Rawat said. He also said that islands can be an option for launching naval strike aircraft. "Once we have studied all that and understood in detail, we will take a call," he asserted.

Rawat said that three forces -- Army, Navy and Air Force -- will be integrated while retaining niche capabilities of each service. "We strongly believe that single force or single service can succeed in any conflict situation if we are to face conflict with our versaries anywhere -- wher it is land, air or sea," he said.

Navy Chief pitches for third aircraft carrier

A third aircraft carrier for India is "absolutely necessary" to furr expand its maritime prowess, and it will be in sync with country's aspiration to become a USD 5 trillion ecomy, Chief of Naval Staff miral Karambir Singh h said on December 3.

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dressing a press conference ahe of Navy Day on December 4, miral Singh said Navy was moving forward with its plan to have a third aircraft carrier and will place a case for it before government after collecting all required technical details. "We have t yet gone to government for third aircraft carrier. But we are very clear about utility of aircraft carrier. Because air operations are absolutely integral in naval operations. Air power at sea is absolutely important," he said.

Navy has been pitching for three aircraft carriers to deal with China's growing naval prowess and its growing influence over Indian Ocean region. At present, India has only one aircraft carrier -- INS Vikramitya which is a Russian origin platform. Indigeusly built aircraft carrier (IAC) INS Vikrant is expected to be fully operational by 2022.

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(With ncy inputs)